African Red Rooibos

In 2005, upon my first visit to South Africa, I noticed a local tea. The Rooibos tea derived its name from the Afrikaans word for Red Bush or Fynbos. Red Bush originates from the Cedarberg Mountain region, Western Cape, South Africa. So real Rooibos or Rooibos tea infusions can only come from those areas.

The original inhabitants of the most Southern Tip of the African continent, the San, started using Rooibos thousands of years ago. They knew already in those years the magical powers of Rooibos. Little research has been done on the healing powers of Rooibos. It already proves that it relieves asthma, hay fever, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach cramping, boost the immune system, anxiety, help colicky infants, and cure insomnia.

Because Rooibos is a tonic plant it can be used to fight deceases, just like it relatives. Tonic plants are known the function in the human body and operate in healthy individua by maintaining and supporting general physical and mental health. A quick overview of the related plants:

• Kankerbos: Anti-viral and anti-cancer. Used to treat cystitis, piles, inflammation rheumatism, liver problems, backaches and HIV/AIDS. Boosts immune system.


• Buchu: stimulate kidney function to treat mild cystitis and prosatititis. In small doses buchu is an appetite stimulant and is a good digestive, carminative and antispasmodic. Also used to treat colds, flu, coughs, rheumatism and gout.
  
• Rooibos: Antispasmodic and anti-ageing flavonoids. Rooibos tea reduces heart diseases.


• Sandolien: Decoction of leaves for fever, arthritis influenza and even measles.


• Wildeals: Infusion of leaves used for coughs, flu, colds, also fever,colic, headache, earache, malaria, intestinal worms etc. Decongestant and anti-bacterial, narcotic, analgesic and antihistamine activity.


• Bloublomsalie: Infusions used for flu, bronchitis, abdominal cramps and indigestion.


• Kattekruid: Leaves steeped in hot water for 10 minutes and taken as a tea. Treatment of haemorrhoids. With salvias used to treat measles and fever. Infusions or brandy tinctures for colds, flu, bronchitis, asthma, heart trouble, insomnia, liver problems, typhoid fever, headaches and foot bath for arthritis. Antispasmodic and sedative effects.


• Siektroos: Infusions of tuberous rootstock for vernereal diseases, decoctions for epilepsy and bladder problems. Resinous gum used to treat ringworm. Piece of raw tap rootis chewed and juice is swallowed to treat coughproductive of purulent spotum and tuberculosis.

African rooibos tea or Red Bush goes as far back as the San do. We're talking about a time when lions, leopards, zebra's and giraffes came as far as the Western Cape. The San, known as the originators of The Cradle of Human Kind, living in harmony with their surroundings, used unique plants and herbs for their purpose.

Red Bush is actually Fynbos, a name given to it by the San. Healing masters in San groups swore to the healing powers of this tea. It was even intensively used as a medicine for hay fever and for relaxation purposes. The fine needle leaves of the Red Bush were named Red Rooibos by the first Dutch invaders. They rolled leaves in bunches and transported it as woven grass on donkeys along the steep mountain flanks.

Under the supervision of a German entrepreneur the first professional Rooibos production plant was established. Leaves were sliced, shredded and bruised with hammers. Afterwards they are dried in the sun. Soon the world was about to meet a new Red Rooibos tea.

Today the tea is exported to all corners of the globe (even though there are no corners to it). From South Africa, to Japan, California. Rooibos comes in different packages and combinations.